The Chimney Swift, which is in no way related to the Swallows, is seen
in the North toward the end of April or early in May. From the last
weeks of August until late in September, southward bound flocks may be
seen, and then the bird has left us until Spring comes again.
Food: The Swifts feed entirely while flying. They eat small flying
insects of many kinds, catching them chiefly in the early morning
and late afternoon.
Feet: Seldom does the Swift alight upon any flat-topped object. Its
characteristic perching place is upon some rough-surfaced tree or
chimney where the small, weak feet cling to the wall and hold the
bird in an upright position.
Tail: The tail of the Chimney Swift is used as a prop to aid the bird in
holding fast to vertical surfaces. The feathers of this fan-shaped
prop are spine-tipped.
Wings and Body: The body of the Swift is "cigar shaped." The wings are
slender though powerful and have long outer feathers that help him
to fly for hours at a time.
Song: The Chimney Swift has no true song. His singing efforts result in
a "_chip-chip-chip_" repeated over and over again, with a
twitter-like rhythm, sometimes sounding
"_chippy-chippy-chippy-chip_."
Nest: The nest of this bird is an unusual structure made of twigs that
are glued together with its glutinous saliva. It forms a shallow,
saucer-shaped platform in which the small white eggs are laid.
Before man-made chimneys offered nesting sites, the Swifts built
in hollow trees.
[Illustration: _Chimney Swift--5½ inches_]